European Union leaders feel uneasy about America's Cloud Act. This US law grants the government power to access digital data from US-based tech companies. It applies regardless of where the data sits, whether on domestic or foreign servers.
EU's Push for Digital Sovereignty
European leaders worry about the lack of homegrown tech champions to rival American giants. In recent years, they have actively promoted digital sovereignty. They urge a reduction in Europe's dependence on American technology.
This pressure forces American cloud providers to adjust their strategies. Companies now offer sovereign cloud options specifically for the European market.
Amazon's Expansion in Europe
Amazon's cloud computing division recently announced an expansion of its sovereign cloud across the European Union. The company aims to benefit as EU governments work to protect citizen data.
In a statement, Amazon Web Services revealed plans to grow its physical presence. New sites will open in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portugal. These join an existing location in eastern Germany.
The expansion will give organizations more choices for deploying cloud workloads. It promises the highest levels of sovereignty and operational independence.
Stephane Israel, AWS's head of European Sovereign Cloud, explained the approach. He said building a cloud with European infrastructure, operations, and governance empowers organizations. They can innovate confidently while keeping full control over their digital assets.
Growing Concerns Over US Technology
European anxieties have intensified under the Trump administration. The US government adopted a more confrontational tone with EU leaders. Last month, the US canceled visas for seven prominent European figures.
Recent reports highlight these tensions. Europe's largest aerospace company, Airbus, reportedly plans to move away from Google and Microsoft. Airbus is preparing a major contract tender. The goal is to migrate critical workloads to a digitally sovereign European cloud.
Analysts Question Sovereign Cloud Solutions
American tech giants invest in sovereign cloud offerings to ease European fears. However, European analysts argue these solutions provide limited real help.
Harald Wehnes, a computer science professor at the University of Wuerzburg, shared his view with AFP. He called AWS's announcement an example of sovereignty washing.
Wehnes pointed out a critical issue. The American CLOUD Act means sensitive European data can still reach US authorities. This happens even if the data resides on European servers, as long as an American cloud company holds it.
He contrasted this with European cloud providers like IONOS, Hetzner, or Noris Network. With these companies, the CLOUD Act does not apply, offering a different level of protection.
The debate continues as Europe seeks true digital independence while navigating global tech dependencies.
